10°c Partly cloudy
8°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Fluke cold summer helps polar bears
Species still threatened: experts
A mother with her cubs outside Churchill, Manitoba. (PAUL J. RICHARDS / CANWEST NEWS SERVICE)
TOO many cool, wet days resulted in a lousy summer -- but you won't find any polar bears complaining.
The cooler-than-usual summer produced thicker ice on Hudson Bay, giving the area's polar bear population several extra days to feed on tasty ringed seals.
"This is the time of year when polar bears eat the most, and the ringed seals are so full of fat and energy," said Daryll Hedman, the northeast regional wildlife manager for Manitoba Conservation.
Hedman said polar bears stay on the Hudson Bay ice for as long as possible so they can feed, adding this year the ice was so thick the bears stayed out for an extra two weeks.
That's resulted in fatter, healthier bears this summer, Hedman said, adding, however, the development is not likely a long-term trend.
"It's probably a blip," Hedman said of the thicker ice and cooler temperatures.
He said polar bears that wandered into Churchill this season appeared fatter and healthier than in past years. "Every bear we handled (in Churchill) was in amazing good shape," Hedman said.
Canada is home to about two-thirds of the world's polar bears but scientists warn populations are starting to dwindle because of thawing sea ice, over-hunting, industrial activity and increased toxins in the food chain.
While experts say this summer is an anomaly and doesn't mean the mammals are no longer under threat, University of Alberta biology professor Andrew Derocher said it bodes well for the coming winter on Hudson Bay.
"Even just one or two weeks out on the sea ice can make a difference in how many seals they kill and how much fat they're able to store on their bodies," said Derocher, the former chair of a polar bear specialist group run by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
"A respite from the long-term conditions is certainly good news," Derocher said. "We're talking about global change here. This is just one summer."
In other parts of the Arctic, temperatures continue to be warmer than usual, scientists point out.
Robert Buchanan, head of Polar Bear International, said polar bears are still threatened by changing environmental conditions.
"The overall prognosis for bears on a worldwide basis still remains dim at best," Buchanan told the Canadian Press in an interview from Alaska. "This (summer in Hudson Bay) is an aberration."
-- With files from Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 19, 2009 A4
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Proudly brought to you by:
Most Popular Local
- Thieves strip $20K worth of copper wiring from gravel pit
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- WWE's Jericho breaks code in Brazil
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Gang members get lengthy sentences for jailhouse beating
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Every year 4,000 children reported missing in Manitoba
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Union Station to receive $6.5-million makeover
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- A SHED is not enough
- Football star's fatal punch probed at manslaughter trail
- Cyclist killed in Higgins Avenue crash
- Sex-scandal inquiry to be heard in city
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Female cyclist dies on Higgins after falling into semi's path
- Boozy night out, lying cost city man big bucks
- Neighbours shaken by two deaths
- Teen hit by vehicle on Pembina
- Rapid buses rattling homes
- Severe storm warning issued
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Triple whammy hits homes
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- At 100, she's still winning friends and winning at bridge
- His life made our world a better place
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Hydro headquarters named Canada's greenest office tower
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Cummings steps out of reunion for sick mom
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Weeding out the chemicals
- U of W rejects copyright deal as 'money grab'
- Chemicals not par for the course
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- RRC's old gem a beauty
- Attack on hockey ref nets jail time
- Our Village is as good as it gets
- Judge faces second complaint
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.